The Single Factor

The Single Factor, released in 1982, is the ninth studio album by English progressive rock band Camel. The album was essentially a contractual obligation album, created under pressure from Decca Records to produce a hit single, and the "made-to-order" nature of its composition resulted in a selection of songs described as "odd" on the band's official website.[3] Unlike previous Camel albums, The Single Factor consists exclusively of shorter compositions around 3 to 5 minutes in length.

The Single Factor
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 1982[1]
RecordedJanuary–February 1982
StudioAbbey Road Studios (London)
GenrePop rock, progressive rock
Length39:01
LabelGama/Decca
ProducerTony Clarke, Andy Latimer and Haydn Bendall for Gama Records Ltd.
Camel chronology
Nude
(1981)
The Single Factor
(1982)
Stationary Traveller
(1984)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]

Guitarist Andrew Latimer was the only original member remaining, although original keyboardist Peter Bardens returned for a guest appearance on 'Sasquatch'. According to the liner notes, original drummer Andy Ward, who had appeared in all previous Camel albums, was now absent "following a serious injury to his hand". In reality the injury was self-inflicted, and years later it was revealed that he was forced to retire due to mental health problems.[4]

The album was reissued on 8 September 2009 by Esoteric Recordings with a bonus version of "You Are the One".

Background and recording

Anthony Phillips, an original member of Genesis, is featured on the album, playing guitar, organ and synthesizer. According to Phillips, a song "with big Genesis-sounding, slightly choral keyboard phrases with super soaring guitar over it" was also recorded for the album, but the band decided to leave it off "because it didn't have 'the Single Factor'."[5]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)NotesLength
1."No Easy Answer"Andrew Latimer
Personnel:
    • Andy Latimer - guitar, lead vocals, piano
    • Chris Rainbow - backing vocals
    • David Paton - bass, backing vocals
    • Graham Jarvis - drums
2:59
2."You Are the One"Latimer
Personnel:
    • Andy Latimer - guitar, lead vocals, keyboards
    • David Paton - bass
    • Graham Jarvis - drums
5:25
3."Heroes"Latimer, Susan Hoover
Personnel:
    • Andy Latimer - guitar, piano solo
    • Chris Rainbow - backing vocals
    • Haydn Bendall - Yamaha CS80 synthesizer
    • Anthony Phillips - grand piano, organ
    • David Paton - fretless bass, lead vocals
    • Dave Mattacks - drums
4:52
4."Selva" (instrumental)Latimer
Personnel:
    • Andy Latimer - electric guitar
    • Anthony Phillips - classical acoustic guitar
    • Duncan Mackay - Prophet synthesizer
3:34
5."Lullabye"Latimer
Personnel:
    • Andy Latimer - lead vocals, piano
0:59
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)NotesLength
1."Sasquatch" (instrumental)Latimer
Personnel:
    • Andy Latimer - electric guitar
    • Anthony Phillips - Rickenbacker 12-string guitar
    • Peter Bardens - organ, Minimoog synthesizer
    • David Paton - bass
    • Simon Phillips - drums
4:44
2."Manic"Latimer, Hoover
Personnel:
    • Andy Latimer - guitar, lead vocals, Mellotron, bass
    • Anthony Phillips - grand piano, organ, Polymoog
    • Francis Monkman - Synclavier harpsichord
    • Graham Jarvis - drums
    • Tristan Fry - glockenspiel
4:28
3."Camelogue"Latimer, Hoover
Personnel:
    • Andy Latimer - guitar, lead vocals
    • Chris Rainbow - backing vocals
    • David Paton - bass, backing vocals
    • Graham Jarvis - drums
3:44
4."Today's Goodbye"Latimer, Hoover
Personnel:
    • Andy Latimer - guitar, lead vocals, organ
    • Chris Rainbow - backing vocals
    • David Paton - bass, backing vocals
    • Graham Jarvis - drums
4:10
5."A Heart's Desire"Latimer, Hoover
Personnel:
    • Andy Latimer - piano
    • Chris Rainbow - lead vocals
    • Jack Emblow - accordion
1:11
6."End Peace" (instrumental)Latimer, Anthony Phillips
Personnel:
    • Andy Latimer - guitar
    • Anthony Phillips - grand piano, Polymoog and ARP 2600 synthesizers, marimba
2:55
2009 Expanded & Remastered Edition
No.TitleLength
12."You Are the One" (Edited version)3:49

Personnel

Production

Charts

Chart (1982) Peak
position
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[6] 10
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[7] 32
Spain (AFYVE)[8] 30
UK Albums (OCC)[9] 57

References

  1. "Camel official site".
  2. Jehnzen, Daevid. "The Single Factor - Camel | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  3. "Official Camel Website - Camel Timeline 1982-2000". Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  4. "A Drummer's Tale". Andy Ward official website. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  5. Stump, Paul (1997). The Music's All that Matters: A History of Progressive Rock. Quartet Books Limited. p. 315. ISBN 0-7043-8036-6.
  6. "Dutchcharts.nl – Camel – The Single Factor" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  7. "Norwegiancharts.com – Camel – The Single Factor". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  8. Salaverri, Fernando (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  9. "Camel | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
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